Preds look to solve problem of squandering large leads

After the Orlando Predators squandered a 20-point lead and lost to the Philadelphia Soul last week, wide receiver Bobby Sippio noticed one distinctive feature about the locker room.

No music blaring. Not a lot of chatter.

"It's a very quiet, meditating moment at the end,'' Sippio said. "After losing like that, nothing can be said.''

The Predators (1-6) will look to return to a more festive locker room Saturday night when they take on the Tampa Bay Storm (4-3) at 7:30 Saturday night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

At the least, they will try to avoid squandering big second-half leads, as has happened in two of their past three games.

The Predators (1-6) gave up late-game leads in two of their past three games and will take on the Tampa Bay Storm (3-3) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The Preds lost 69-53 to the Soul last Saturday after leading 41-21 in the first half. Two weeks earlier, Orlando lost 57-54 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Power after holding a 24-point advantage at halftime.

Sippio said the Preds' offense scores early but lacks consistency. Orlando is averaging 38.1 points per game, next-to-last in the 17-team Arena Football League and 18.5 points less than Tampa Bay averages.

QB Justin Roper is expected to make his fourth consecutive start.

"We just have to do it all four quarters,'' Sippio said. "Once we do that, the sky is the limit."

Defensive back Travis Coleman said the Preds' defense can help maintain the lead by forcing more turnovers, especially late in games.

"They are definitely more important later with the game on the line," Coleman said.

Coach Bret Munsey said a lack of focus and execution have cost the Preds late.

"You have to look yourself in the mirror — every player and every coach," Munsey said. "We've got to have some guys step up and make plays. We need leaders.